Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-08-08
A BANQUET
Tenderea Lord Harrington by the Union.
ist Members of Parliament Speeches
Made by VarIous Members OF the Gath.
ering.


4 A-cNbCNs aug. U.
/ The unionist members of Parliament gave
a banquet to Lord Harrington, last evening.
/ Mr.. Bright, who presided, prefsced his re-
marks by saying that those who complained
Of their supporting the tory government were
= those outside who had been 10 and wanted to
be in again. He traced the history of the
Gladstonian home rule movement in terms of
strong condemnation. Even Trevelyan -
he said, admitted that if G Giadstune's bills
were again presented he would oppose them
To put the matter plainly and shortly, Glad
| stone was ready to consider anything accord
ing to his own profession, but as far as he,
Bright, could see, with very little hopeS of
abandoning the most Objectionable features
of his measure. Gladstone expected to sweep
the country. He had swept it but did not
gather much" Laughter.
Mr.. Bright strongly denounced the Parnel-
lites, at least sixty of whom, he said, we're
maintained by dollars from American Irish
who would dearly love to cause war between
Great Britain and the great American repub-
lie. Mr.. Gladstone has said that any scheme
| fathered by him must be acceptable to these
men while he was in that frame of mind
there was an end to all hopes of = settlement.
His speech was eloquent, but he failed TO
enlighten the country as to his views. He
was like the spanish host whose guests COM
planned that he gave them little meat but
plenty of table cloth. Mr.. Bright concluded
by expressing sorrow and regret that he had
sees Mr.. Gladstone consult the workmen of
England on the question of unionists, that he
had seen him Try to render Scotland and
Wales dissatisfied and to obstruct the busi-
ness of Parliament in behalf of policy
which majority of the people of the King
dom condemned.
Tnrd Hartipufon on risDp WAC loudlv
cheered. He admitted that the government
had consulted unionist leaders on the original
draft Of the land bill. They believed and
hoped that by the pending introduction of a
large measure. it would be unnecessary to
adopt principle SO full of risk and danger
to the passage of the great purchase bill, as
a principle of revision of Judicial rents, pay
able by insolvent tenants. He continued
that he further believed that the equity and
bankruptcy clauses would relieve insolvents
besides indire city benetitting those who were
solvent. But the dropping of the bankruptcy
clauses compelled the government TO adopt
some alternative measure.
Therefore. | do not think we are in the
least discreoited by supporting and advising
the government in its conduct of the bill
Passing TO the complaint that the unlonists
had taken sufficient notice of Gladstone's
concessions, he said he wished to point out to
Sir George Trevelyan that those concessions
would never have been made had the union
lists all thought it their duty to take the
course he adopted fear we have not made
our position intelligible enough to Mr.. Glad
stone, because he has never referred to my
claim that powers of subordinate body
should be delegated not surrendered.
He may believe that he is making cOnces-
sions and that they may be offered in con-
clllatory spirit, but they form no basis of
agreement between sections of the liberal
party, therefore can see no reason for a
change in our position, either toward Glad
stone or the government. The independent
attitude of dissidents may be a source of
weakness, but see no reason why conserva-
tves should not adopt a returmatve and pro-
gressive policy, with reference to closer un.
ion with unionsts
Such would be the most perfect form of
organization. Bur believe until we have
had more experience of their willingness to
cooperate in reforms, ard until we are as
sured of the desire of one section in advance
of the other to accept reasonable compromis'
es, the time is not ripe for such close union
Such an experience Is impossible in the pres
ent session, but believe that progress is
being made and that the time is approaching
when such subjects may be generally taken
up by all sections OF the unionsts party.